The Curriculum for Master of Science (MSc) in Information Technology - IT, Communication and Organisation

Academic Study Board for Information and Communication Studies
Programme titles:
  • cand.it. i it, kommunikation og organisation
  • Master of Science (MSc) in Information Technology - IT, Communication and Organisation
ECTS value: 120
Cities: Kolding
Semesters: Autumnx
Effective date: 01-09-2020
Effective for students enrolled as of: 01-09-2017

Version: Archive

§ 1 - Description of the Programme

§ 1.1 - Programme

Ministerial orders

Ministerial Order on the Grading Scale and Other Forms of Assessment of Study Programmes Offered under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science (the Grading Scale Order) (BEK nr 114 af 03/02/2015)

Bekendtgørelse om ankenævn for afgørelser om merit i universitetsuddannelser (meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 1517 af 16/12/2013)

Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om ankenævn for afgørelser om merit i universitetsuddannelser (meritankenævnsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 880 af 26/08/2019)

Bekendtgørelse om talentinitiativer på de videregående uddannelser på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (talentbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 597 af 08/03/2015)

Bekendtgørelse om universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 20 af 09/01/2020)

Bekendtgørelse om eksamen og censur ved universitetsuddannelser (eksamensbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 22 af 09/01/2020)

Bekendtgørelse om adgang til universitetsuddannelser tilrettelagt på heltid (adgangsbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 23 af 09/01/2020)

Bekendtgørelse om ændring af bekendtgørelse om talentinitiativer på de videregående uddannelser på Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriets område (talentbekendtgørelsen) (BEK nr 892 af 26/08/201)

Language

Danish, English

§ 1.2 - Aim of Programme, including any professional profile and specialisations

The Master´s Degree Programme in Web Communication

The Master’s degree programme in Web Communication is a full-time course of study representing 120 ECTS.

The objective of the programme is to give students a range of discipline-specific and discipline-related competences – including joint competences in the humanities.

All master´s degree programmes permit successful graduates to apply to a PhD programme. 


Competence description
The aim of the Master's degree programme in Web Communication is to provide the student with qualifications through discipline-specific and discipline-related proficiency, knowledge and methodology.

The Master's degree programme represents the full, academic expansion of the students' overall course of study. Qualified candidates will have achieved academic and professional competences, which will qualify the students to carry out a wide range of business functions.

The programme´s competence objectives are divided into general and discipline-specific competences. The general competence objectives are the broad competences the newly graduated student has acquired following completion of the programme, while the discipline-specific competence objectives relate to the programme´s core academic competences. With reference to the "New Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education", objectives are divided into knowledge, skills and competences:


General competence objectives:
The candidate must:

  1. be able to delimit and define an academic issue at a high academic research level
  2. be able to exhaustively examine, analyse and resolve academic issues utilising relevant academic theories and methods, while incorporating current international research
  3. be able to systematize complex knowledge and data, as well as critically select and prioritize factors that are significant for the subject
  4. critically master the subject's various theories and methodologies
  5. demonstrate a precise and consistent application of concepts
  6. be able to reason at a research level
  7. be able to initiate and implement an academic dialogue
  8. be able to focus and establish coherence in the resolution of tasks
  9. take a critical stance on sources used and document these using references, notes and bibliography
  10. employ language - in writing and/or verbally - that is subject-oriented, precise and correct
  11. communicate research-based knowledge and discuss complex scientific issues in a way that is relevant to and comprehensible for various target groups.
  12. be able to manage work and development situations that are complex and that demand innovative approaches and be able to cooperate, including being able to receive and give constructive criticism
  13. be able to work independently, disciplined, structured and targeted, including complying with deadlines and formal requirements
  14. employ IT as a tool for both information retrieval as well as verbal and written communication

The coherence between the qualifications framework for higher education, the competence objectives of the course of study and the individual subject element learning objectives are set out in appendix 1. The the discipline-specific competence objectives are set out in the section Course of study.


§ 1.3 - Didactic, pedagogical basis and contact to research environment

Students' opportunities for contact with relevant research environments
The master’s degree in Web Communication is closely associated with the academic environment around the Department of Design and Communication and the SDU Design research initiative at the University of Southern Denmark in Kolding. Researchers from the Department of Design and Communication are teachers on the Master’s programme and often contribute their own research. Students sometimes participate in research projects and other research-related activities. 

The humanities model for active learning and activating teaching
The humanities model is a platform for the development and design of activating teaching and active learning at the Faculty of Humanities. Hereby, the principles for education at University of Southern Denmark/SDU reflect the humanities model: Activating teaching and active learning. The model’s starting point is that active learning is realised through participation in different kinds of teaching and activities. At the same time, it shows how teaching can be activating in different ways.

The humanities model is based on different kinds of teaching activities in different “spaces” defined by the specific roles and responsibilities of teachers and students. The model highlights the different tasks and roles of the student during the education including participation in different activities and contributions of a variety of deliveries.

Study activities for the students are organised and framed in four spaces: 




The university teacher plans and conducts activating teaching including 

  • involving all four spaces considering the learning objectives of the specific discipline 
  • highlighting the students’ responsibility for participation in the different spaces
  • supporting the students’ acquisition of study competency to work in the different spaces

The university teacher will also reflect on the activities that may be carried out in the different spaces, and how the activities are related to the goals and examinations of the discipline. The management of the education programme secures that the students overall have activities in all four spaces each semester, and that the university teachers’ specific competencies and strengths can be utilised in the best possible way in the implementation of the model.

The model highlights the different types of the students’ responsibility, tasks, and roles in relation to the participation in the different study activities. It is expected that the student delivers different types of products and services in the different spaces. Thereby, the student will be aware of and confident with different study activities and types of tasks. 

Teaching space where the university teacher has the responsibility for planning and is present
This teaching space will typically host lectures and provide classes with activating elements, excursions and workshops, in which the students will actively participate by asking questions, reflect, take notes, and contribute to discussions in groups and in class.
For example face-to-face discussions, reflection questions, quizzes, construction of concept maps, could be activating elements that the university teacher might want to use.

Study space where the university teacher has the responsibility for planning but is not present
This study space will typically host group work, practices, problem solving, and similar activities that are framed by the university teacher, in which the student actively participates.
Examples of activities may be working with issues for the examination syllabus, log books, contributions to blogs or wikies, collection of materials for individual or group portfolio, field work etc. 

Teaching space where the university teacher is present but the students have the responsibility for planning specific sub-activities
This teaching space will typically host group presentations, counselling, Q and A sessions, and similar activities within the framework of the course. The student participates actively by making student presentations, respond to other students’ presentations - perhaps taking on varying opponent roles - and take the initiative to and prepare counselling, etc. In all circumstances, there may be individually-based as well as group-based work. 
As examples, this teaching space may host group presentations, counselling and Q and A sessions.

Study space where the students have the responsibility for planning, and the university teacher is not present
This study space encompasses the student’s independent studies, active participation in self-organised study groups and collaborative examination preparation, preparation of assignments, and other study-related products.


The humanities model is a general model that is applicable to all studies at the Faculty of Humanities. The model is a description of existing practices in the humanities where activating pedagogy already plays a big part as well as a focus in relation to future developments for teaching practices at the faculty. The study board for each study programme will decide the details for how the model will find its expression in the specific programme.


§ 2 - Enrollment

§ 2.1 - Legal claim for admission to the Master´s degree programme

A passed bachelor degree programme at the University confers the right of admission to the master's degree programme that is a natural continuation of the undergraduate course subject area(s), at the same university and in direct continuation of the final bachelor degree programme.

For the Master's degree programme in Web Communication (120 ECTS), this includes the following undergraduate courses:

  • Bachelor degree programme in International Business Communication with English, IT and Web Communication
  • Bachelor degree in Information Science, Information Technology and Interaction Design (previously the bachelor degree programme in Information and Communication Science)
  • Bachelor degree in Library Science and Knowledge Communication


§ 2.2 - Admission requirements to the Master´s degree programme

The following Bachelor degree programmes from the University of Southern Denmark and from other universities also offer access to the Master´s degree programme in Web Communication:

  • A humanities BA
  • A social sciences BA
  • A relevant professional bachelor degree, e.g. web developer, software developer, business language and IT-based marketing communication, school teacher, nurse, educator, social worker

Applicants must have attained at least B level English in the qualifying examination or a minimum of 7 in an IELTS test. 


§ 2.3 - Other grounds for admission to the Master´s degree programme

General provisions
The university can admit applicants on a different basis from those set out in the sections

if it is considered that the applicant has academic qualifications comparable with this, and the university estimates that the applicant can complete the programme.


Subject-specific provisions:

    In addition, students are expected to have knowledge of basic HTML and CSS before they commence the programme, e.g. through subjects students have studied for their BA degrees. It is also possible to obtain this knowledge through online tutorials, e.g. w3schools.com. The programme website contains suggestions for tutorials.  

    § 2.4 - Supplementary studies

    General provisionsThe university can decide, that the applicant must complete supplementary programme activities either before the commencement of studies or at latest during the first year after admission.

    Reference is made to § 28 point 2 and § 29 point 4 in the ministerial order on enrolment. 

    § 3 - Structure and Progression

    § 3.1 - Overall construction and structure

    The Master’s degree programme in Web Communication (120 ECTS) consists of

    • Constituent subject elements, 110 ECTS
      - including 
      - Core courses: 50 ECTS 
      - Specialist courses: 30 ECTS
      - Thesis: 30 ECTS
    • Elective subjects,  10 ECTS


    § 3.2 - Course of study

    MA Web Communication Interaction Design 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Interaction Design 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Interaction Design 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Architecture 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Architecture 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Architecture 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Communication Design 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Communication Design 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Communication Design 120 ECTS

    § 3.3 - Connection between admission requirements and the first year of the programme

    In the first semester, students are introduced to the constituent disciplines in core course column, i.e. Web-mediated Communication and Interaction and Web Formats and Standards, as well as Web Communication and Web Production. These courses constitute the beginning of an academic progression through the programme. 

    The core course of Web-mediated Communication and Interaction uses a digital portfolio method of assessment, which is familiar to students from the University of Southern Denmark. It is further ensured that all students, including university undergraduates and students from other course traditions, receive feedback on academic writing requirements and reasoning through digital portfolio assignments during the semester. 

    Teaching in the early semesters is based on familiar forms of learning, such as lectures, portfolio submissions, practice reviews and group discussions. 

    Study groups are set up at the start of the programme. The aim is that these groups should be designed in such a way that students with traditional university backgrounds work in groups with students from other backgrounds. This is done to support the establishment of a shared academic background among students. Study groups may, as students wish, be retained throughout the programme. 

    § 4 - Course descriptions

    § 4.1 - Course Descriptions

    Profile divided course descriptions 

    MA Web Communication Interaction Design 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Interaction Design 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Interaction Design 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Architecture 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Architecture 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Architecture 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Communication Design 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Communication Design 120 ECTS

    MA Web Communication Web Communication Design 120 ECTS

    § 5 - Examination provisions

    § 5.1 - Study Commencement Test

    The Study commencement test consists of the following elements:

    • Participation in and completion of an e-learn course
    • Participation in the first lesson of the semester in at least one of the following courses: Web formats and stardards, Webmedieret kommunikation og interaktion, Web-mediated communication and interaction.
    All elements must be passed in order for the Study commencement test to be passed. For more information on the test please read section 4 Course Descriptions Study commencement test. If the student does not pass the study commencement test the enrolment is discontinued.

    General provisions concerning the Study Commencement Test
    The Study Commencement Test must take place no later than two months after programme start, and the result must be reported to the student no later than 2 weeks after the test. If the test is not approved the student has the option of participating in a re-test that will take place no later than 3 months after programme start. The student has two attempts to pass the test at the beginning of the programme.

    § 5.2 - Spelling and writing skills (major written assignments)

    When grading Master’s theses and other major written assignments, in addition to their academic content, emphasis must also be placed on students' spelling and formulation skills, irrespective of the language the assignment is written in. 
     
    The spelling and formulation skills applied in examinations, theses and thesis summary must be included in the overall assessment of the assignment in question, but academic content must be given the greater emphasis.

    § 5.3 - Internal and external examinations

    Examinations can be either internal or external.

    External examinations are graded by one or more examiners and by one or more external examiners appointed by the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education.

    Internal examinations are graded by one or more teachers (examiners) appointed by the university from among teachers at the university. 
     
    Written examinations held at the university with the grade pass/fail and written home assignments with the grade pass/fail will only require a co-examiner if a teacher has graded the assignment as failed, or if the teacher is in doubt about the grade given. This applies irrespective of the fact that it is stated in the academic part of the curriculum that it is an "internal examination with two examiners". 

    § 5.4 - Teaching and examination language

    For subjects that are offered in Danish, the language used for teaching and examination purposes will be Danish, unless another language is mentioned in the examination requirements for that discipline. If the teaching of the course requires it, or it is necessary to take account of the participation of international students in the teaching programme, the study board can decide that the teaching and/or the language of the examination in certain circumstances can be a foreign language. 

    The language of teaching and examination is English for those courses that are offered in English, unless another language is named in the individual course description.

    In subjects offered in Danish, the examination will be in Danish, unless the objective of the examination is to document the student’s ability in a foreign language. The examination can take place in Swedish or Norwegian instead of Danish, unless it is an aim of the examination to document ability in Danish. 

    If subject teaching has taken place in a foreign language, the examination will be held in that language, see the examination requirements for the specific discipline, unless it is an aim of the examination to test the student’s ability in Danish. The study board can make an alternative decision regarding this, see the examination requirements for the specific discipline. 

    The study board can, where possible, allow a student, to take an examination in a foreign language. This does not apply if the aim of the examination is to document the student’s ability in Danish or a specific foreign language.

    § 5.5 - Forms of teaching and examination

    Principles for choise of teaching and examination forms

    The programme works with a variety of teaching formats and methods of assessment, each of which is aligned to the learning objectives that have been set for each course. In courses that emphasise the acquisition of a specific academic knowledge, teaching typically takes the form of group learning or lectures combined with exercises. The method of assessment may both be written assignments and oral examinations which test students’ acquisition and independent further processing of the information in question. In courses with a clear focus on skills (of course, supported by knowledge and competencies), students are continuously taught these skills, e.g. in the form of portfolios. The aim is to create a correlation between learning objectives, working methods, forms of teaching and methods of assessment.


    Description/definition of teaching and examination methods

    Participation in classes:
    Examinations, which are given based on participation in classes, require active, regular and satisfactory participation in the course of study in question. By active is understood participation in the compulsory activities connected with the teaching (general preparation, oral presentations, minor written assignments, etc.). The university teacher specifies at the start of the course what is meant by active participation, including how many assignments must be prepared. By regular is understood participation in at least 80 % of the classes offered. By satisfactory is understood that the written presentations and assignments are evaluated as passed.

    Registration of participation in the course takes place via the e-learning system or written protocol. The preferred method is announced at the start of the course. Students may only register participation in a given class if they have been physically present in the room during the entire class

    Case
     A case is a set assignment with an external examiner. The assignment is set on the basis of a fictional or non-fictional company. Students present their solution of the task and explain the choices they have made at their oral examination. The presentation must be made using an outline or PowerPoint presentation, supplemented by documentation for the examiner and external examiner. The presentation must not have the nature of being read from a script. The assignment may only be undertaken on an individual basis.


    Digital portfolio without or with subsequent oral defence

    In courses that are assessed using this method of assessment, teaching is organised in such a way that students regularly undertake a number of assignments related to the completed academic curriculum. Student assignments will be discussed subsequently in lessons, and students are expected to revise and supplement their assignment on the basis of critical comments from the teacher and fellow students. 

    Students gather their assignments in a folder on the course’s e-learning platform. At the end of class, students select a number of materials from this folder. The materials must be added to the portfolio continuously during the semester. This selection, in addition to an introduction to the selection, constitutes the student’s digital portfolio. The introduction to the selection must include a statement of the manner in which the material exemplifies the academic content on which the student has worked on the course. Students must also state the criteria on which the selection is based, including the academic, intellectual and practical skills the material illustrates. If agreed between students and teachers, the introduction may also include a presentation of the student and his/her learning objectives for the course, as well as a reflection of the extent to which these learning objectives have been met, and in what ways the selected material illustrates this.

    At the start of the course, the teacher specifies how many assignments need to be submitted during the semester and how many of these are to be selected for the digital portfolio at the end of course. The content and format of the assignments will be determined by the teacher, in consultation with students, if applicable. 

    If an oral defence is required, students have to be able to explain how the portfolio exemplifies the course’s theory and methods, as well as reflect on the extent to which the portfolio material meets the criteria set by the description of objectives for the course and the general, academic skills described in Section 2. Students receive a combined grade for their digital portfolio and their oral defence.


    Feedback if students do not pass a written examination 

    If a student fails a written examination (homework assignment, written onsite examination or similar), the student is entitled to oral feedback. 

    If a student wishes to receive feedback, the student must contact the examiner immediately after the publication of the grade AND within 14 days thereafter AND before any reexamination commences. 

    Feedback is only given verbally at a personal interview. 


    Homework assignment

    A homework assignment is a free or set written task with or without a subsequent oral defence. If the homework assignment is followed by an oral defence, one grade which indicates a combined assessment of the oral and the written performance is awarded.No supervision is provided for homework assignments. The homework assignment may either be a written assignment about a subject or a case related to the course, or an application assignment where the project consists of the development of a software application and associated documentation in the form of a statement of the issues related to the development work. The scope can be found in the examination regulations. 

    The oral examination takes the form of a dialogue between the student, the examiner(s) and the external examiner. The purpose of the examination is to give students an opportunity to explain and elaborate on their homework assignment and to test students’ understanding of the material that has been taught on the course. 


    Examination aids

    All written aids mean that students may bring all written material for the examination, i.e. textbooks, compendia, dictionaries, notes, etc. in hard copy or electronic format. The Internet cannot be used.

    All aids means that all written aids as well as the Internet may be used. Students are, however, not permitted to exchange information or otherwise contact other examinees or persons outside the examination room during the examination.

    Designated aids means the aids which have been specified by the teacher setting the examination.


    Portfolio

    Portfolio means ‘folder’, i.e. a folder containing assignments that students return at the end of the course. 


    Written examination

    A written examination is a written on site assignment.All written examinations are taken on a computer unless otherwise specified in the discipline descriptions.


    Language of teaching and examination

    The specialisations of Web Communication Design:

    The language of teaching and examination is English. 


    Computational Thinking

    In this study program we are working with Computational Thinking in different ways in the different courses. Basically, Computational Thinking is a problem-solving method with the phases decomposition of the problem into smaller parts, abstraction of the key elements, data generation and data analysis, modelling of these elements, algorithmic design to step-by-step solution of the problem and automisation of the algorithm. You can work with these phases in analogue ways, use digital tools to support the processes (by modelling and visualisation of the problem-solving data as an example) and you can work with coding digital tools (programming), see figure. In some courses focus is also on deliminating Computational Thinking – where can it be applied and where not - and how CT problem solving is part of practice together with other action and interpretation methods. For further information click here: https://www.sdu.dk/en/om_sdu/institutter_centre/c_lct 


    § 5.6 - Specific regulations regarding examinations

    Internationalisation
    If students fail their overall period of study, they must pass the courses which in ECTS points correspond to the number of ECTS points that they need to earn in order to pass the overall period of study. The course(s) students need to pass must be relevant to their master’s degree and must be approved by the Academic Study Board.

    Alternatively, students must complete a free homework assignment with subsequent oral defence in English. The topic of the homework assignment must be approved by a teacher on the course. If a student needs to earn more than 10 ECTS, the student will need to complete two homework assignments. The following examination regulations apply:

    Method of assessment: Free homework assignment with oral defence

    Pages per student: 5 ECTS: 10 standard pages excluding cover page, table of contents, bibliography and annexes. 10 ECTS: 12-15 standard pages excluding cover page, table of contents, bibliography and annexes.

    Multiple students can contribute to the assignment: No
    Individual oral examination:
    Duration: 30 minutes including grading
    Preparation: No
    Examination aids: Not permitted, but the homework assignment and any presentation materials (posters, handouts, computer presentation, etc.) may be used 
    Grading: Internal examination, 1 examiner
    Assessment: Pass/Fail
    Weighting: 5 or 10 ECTS

    Weighting of grades
    All grades awarded at individual examinations are weighted identically by calculating the examination average.



    § 5.7 - Irregularities during examinations

    Disciplinary measures may be taken in cases of examination cheating or disruptive behaviour during exams, cf. Rules regarding disciplinary measures for students at the University of Southern Denmark.

    § 5.8 - Special examination conditions

    The university may offer special examination conditions to students with physical or mental disabilities and to students with a mother tongue other than Danish when the university finds it is necessary to equate these students with others in the examination situation. It is a prerequisite that the offer does not change the examination level. Reference is made to § 7 in the the ministerial order on examinations and grading.

    § 5.9 - Conditions for participation in classes and examinations

    There are no conditions for participation in classes or examinations unless otherwise stated in the description of the individual discipline.

    If a given course description states that a prerequisite exam is included in the subject in question, the following applies:

    A prerequisite exam is a condition for being able to take the final exam in the subject in question. The student must therefore pass the prerequisite exam before being allowed to take the final exam in the subject. Students who do not pass their prerequisite exam will have used an exam attempt in the final exam. 

    The same applies to the re-examination:

    The replacement (re-examination) for the prerequisite exam must have been passed in order to be able to participate in the re-examination in the final exam. If the student has registered for the re-examination in the final exam without having passed the replacement for the prerequisite exam, the student has used an exam attempt for the re-examination in the final exam.

    Please refer to Rules for registration for classes and examinations at SDU.

    § 5.10 - Digital examinations and aids during examinations

    Digital examinations
    All written examinations held at the university are digital, i.e. are written on computeres, unless anything to the contrary is indicated in the descriptions of the academic disciplines. The University of Southern Denmark's rule set for written examinations is applicable to examinations held at the university and written on computers.


    Aids
    It is apparent which aids may be used from the examination provisions for the individual subjects.

    Generally, it applies that the use of

    • all file sharing services (including, e.g., Dropbox, Google Docs, Bb Content System)
    • all social media (including, e.g., Facebook, Messenger)
    • all communication

    is ALWAYS forbidden during examinations, regardless of whether the internet is permitted as an aid.

    Oral examinations:

    It is clear from the examination provisions whether the aids may be used during the preparation time and/or during the examination.

    • No aids: You may bring writing materials and a calculator
    • All written aids: You may bring books, articles, compendia, notes, assignment papers, dictionaries (printed), calculator
    • All aids, minus Internet: You may bring (in printed, written and electronic form) books, articles, compendia, notes, assignment papers, dictionaries (CD-ROMs and the like, as well as printed), computer, calculator
    • All aids plus internet (however, no communication): You may bring (in printed, written and electronic form) books, articles, compendia, notes, assignment papers, dictionaries (CD-ROMs and the like, as well as printed and online versions), calculator, computer, as well as internet

    Written site exams:

    • No aids: Writing materials (including PC without internet access), calculator and digital pen
    • All aids, minus internet: (in printed, written and electronic form) Books, articles, compendia, notes, assignment papers, dictionaries (CD-ROMs and the like, as well as printed), calculator, digital pen
    • All aids plus internet: (in printed, written and electronic form) Books, articles, compendia, notes, assignment papers, dictionaries (CD-ROMs and the like, as well as printed and online), calculator, digital pen, as well as internet

    § 5.11 - Individual examinations and group examinations

    Examinations are arranged individually or as group examinations. Notwithstanding the arrangement of the examination, an assessment of the student’s individual performance must be given, and an individual grade must be given.

    It will be apparent from the academic part of the curriculum, if an examination is arranged as a group examination. If an examination is arranged as a group examination, the examination requirements for the specific disciplines will also clearly state what the maximum number of students participating in the group may be and whether students have the option of choosing an individual examination.  

    If a written assignment does not meet the requirements relating to individualisation or other formal requirements laid down in the individual course descriptions, the assignment can be rejected. In case of an assignment is rejected, an assessment will not be given and the student has used an examination attempt, reference is made to § 24 point 3 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading.

    The reader is referred to § 4 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading and to the examination requirements for the specific disciplines.

    § 5.12 - General regulations concerning form

    Written assignments 

    It is stated in the examination requirements of the specific discipline how long the individual written answers to the examination questions should be. The length is given in number of pages or in the number of characters: One normal page is equivalent to 2400 characters, see above.

    In the calculation of the number of standard pages in an examination answer, the characters are counted from the first character in the introduction up to and including the last character in the conclusion. Footnotes are included. Tables are also included in the number of characters. Images are included with one character per image.

    The following are not included:

    • The front page
    • Table of contents
    • Abstract (summary)
    • References
    • Appendices
    If the minimum number of characters is not reached, or the maximum number of characters is exceeded, (see the examination requirements of the specific discipline) the written assignment is rejected and the student will have used one attempt, see § 24 point 3 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading.

    Standard cover page for examination assignments
    Standard cover pages must be used for all written assignments (including written home assignments). The cover page is available at SDU´s e-learn platform in connection with delivery of the assignment. Failure to use the standard cover page leads to rejection of the assignment and the student will have used one examination attempt, see § 24 point 3 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading.

    § 6 - Credit transfer and exemptions

    § 6.1 - Pre-approval of credit transfer prior to enrollment

    As part of the enrolment process, the Academic Study Board must consider applications for credit transfers cf. § 32 of the ministerial order on enrollment.

    § 6.2 - Pre-approval of credit transfer

    The Board of Studies shall examine applications for credit transfer in advance if a student, as part of his/her education, wishes to:

    1. take courses at a foreign institution of higher education,
    2. take courses at other Danish universities or
    3. take other courses at SDU than those included in the programme regulations in which the student is enrolled and which have not already been approved by the Board of Studies as part of the elective offer.

    Reference is made to § 47 in the ministerial order on degree programmes at universities.

    § 6.3 - Credit transfer

    In individual cases, the Academic Study Board can grant credit transfers for subjects taken, for instance, at another university. General provisions regarding credit transfers must be submitted to the Dean.

    A credit transfer for a Master’s thesis that constitutes the foundation for a designation in a graduate programme cannot be granted for a new designation in another graduate programme.

    The reader is referred to § 46 in the ministerial order on degree programmes at universities.

    § 7 - Provisions on the organisation of the programme

    § 7.1 - Registration for and withdrawal from subjects and examinations

    The rules for application to subjects and examinations at SDU apply to Bachelor, Master’s and vocational Bachelor students at the Faculty of Humanities.

    In addition to this the following applies:
    Master’s students on a Master’s course standardised to 120 ECTS points are automatically enrolled on a dissertation of 30 ECTS which takes place over the 3rd and 4th semester, when they have passed 40 ECTS points of their Master’s programme, see § 3 point 4 in the Regulations for applying to subjects and examinations at SDU. It is not possible to withdraw. Furthermore, see Master´s Thesis.

    The subject matter offered is always in relation to the most recent curriculum. A common examination is offered and a re-examination in direct relation to the subject matter taught. The third examination attempt is offered after the next usual taught course. The examination is always based on the most recent curriculum, including the most recent syllabus.  

    Following § 8 in Regulations regarding enrolment on subjects and examinations at SDU regulations are established for 2nd and 3rd attempts at subjects that are being phased out or are no longer offered. Students who do not pass the common examination must apply (--> register?/enrol?) to take the re-examination (2nd attempt) in the same examination term, or in immediate continuation of this. Withdrawal cannot take place. Students who do not enrol themselves will be enrolled by the university. Students who do not pass the subject at the re-examination must enrol for the 3rd attempt in the next examination term after the last common offer of teaching (e.g., if the last offer of teaching was spring 2016, the third examination attempt is offered in the examination term winter 2016/2017.) It is not possible to withdraw. Examination always takes place in relation to the most recent curriculum, including the most recent syllabus. 

    The regulations regarding the withdrawal of subjects and the enrolment onto the 2nd and 3rd attempts apply unless otherwise stated in the specific course description or in the interim provisions of the study programme. See Interim provisions.

    In the case where enrolment on a subject requires that a previous subject has been completed and passed, the student who has not passed at the 1st and 2nd attempts, has the option of enrolling for a re-examination in the same examination term (3rd attempt). The University must ensure that the 3rd attempt in the required subject is examined before the common examination in the later subject.

    § 7.2 - Permission to take courses at postgraduate level

    Students in the Bachelor programmes may be allowed to be enrolled in graduate courses while completing the Bachelor programme if the following requirements are met:

    Bachelor programme, 180 ECTS

    1. The student lacks a maximum of 15 ECTS from his/her Bachelor programme.
    2. The student has passed all subjects in the 1st and 2nd semester and the bachelor project.


    Bachelor programme, major subject: 135 ECTS and minor subject: 45 ECTS

    1. The student lacks a maximum of 15 ECTS from his/her minor subject/elective subject.
    2. Propaedeutic language must not be part of the missing subjects.



    § 7.3 - Deadline for completion of the study

    Please refer to § 6 point 2 in the ministerial order on degree programmes at universities.

    For Bachelor and Master’s students at the Faculty of Humanities, the SDU´s Rules for latest completion of bachelor, professional bachelor and Master´s programmes apply. 

    § 7.4 - Requirements for study activity

    Please refer to § 20 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading.  
     
    For Bachelor students and Master’s students admitted to the Faculty of Humanities on September 1st 2015 or later, the SDU's regulations regarding Student activity apply.

    Students must have passed examinations in a total of 45 ECTS points every academic year. The demand is administered as an accumulation of study activity. 

    In addition to the above-mentioned rules for study activity, the university will end the enrolment for students who have not passed at least one examination for an uninterrupted period of at least one year. The Study Start test does not meet this requirement for study activity. The Board of Studies may grant exemption from the above-mentioned requirement for study activity if extraordinary circumstances exist. If it is ascertained that there has been a lack of study activity after the first study-year, the student will be contacted with offers of guidance and possible support measures for resuming study activity.

    § 7.5 - Master´s (candidatus) thesis

    The Master’s thesis is a major, independent home assignment that must document the student's competences in the application of scientific theories and methods when working with a defined academic subject.

    The thesis comprises 30 ECTS points and has a length of 60-80 standard pages. See Terminology of the programme for closer stipulation regarding what is included in the project. 

    The thesis must include an abstract in a foreign language. Reference is made to § 26 point 2 in the ministerial order on examinations and grading. Length and language of the abstract, see the discipline description for the Master´s Thesis.

    The thesis must be begun and submitted within the following time frames:

    • The thesis time frame runs from the beginning of the semester (1 September/1 February), even though the thesis statement and supervision plan have not yet been approved. 
    • If a student fails to submit a thesis within the deadline established, he/she will have used one examination attempt. Deregistration is not permitted. 
    • If the student's thesis cannot be approved or he/she fails to submit it within the deadline established, a new deadline of three months will be established. At the same time, a new thesis formulation within the same subject area must be approved. This is described in detail below. If the thesis is not submitted within this deadline, the student will have used another examination attempt.
    • The student may then make a third examination attempt in accordance with the same rules that apply to the second examination attempt. 
    • The Academic Study Board can grant exemption from the deadlines mentioned above when unexpected circumstances occur. 
    The reader is referred to § 27 point 7 and 8 of the Ministerial Order on Bachelor and Master´s Degree Programmes at Universities (uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen) and § 14 of the Ministerial Order on University Examinations and Grading (eksamensbekendtgørelsen). 

    According to the rules, the head of studies must approve the thesis statement, the deadline and the supervision plan. 
     

    Implementing the rules at the Faculty of Humanities 

    1. Deadlines
    1a. Spring semester
    The following deadlines apply to students who are writing theses in the spring semester:

    a) During the enrolment period for the autumn semester (May), the student must enrol himself/herself for the thesis project with a deadline of June 1st of the following year (for example, enrolment in Autumn 2017 leads to a deadline of June 1st 2018). If the student has not enrolled himself/herself, the institution will ensure that the student is enrolled, see Registration for and withdrawal from subjects and examinations. This applies irrespective of whether a contract has been agreed or not. 

    b) The student must apply for subject not later than November 15th, and according to the local rules of the programme state the name of a supervisor. In case the student omits to apply for a subject, the student is contacted and is informed of the consequences of his/her choice: the possibilities of getting the requested supervisor assigned is reduced, the thesis period runs from February 1st, regardless of whether the contract is signed or not, and that the student will use up one examination attempt if the thesis is not submitted on time. 

    c) As soon as possible after applying for subject and not later than December 1st the student is informed on which supervisor he/she has been assigned. The subject, must, in this context be approved by a supervisor. 

    d) On January 15th at the latest a thesis project contract must be agreed. If the contract is not agreed by the deadline, the student will be contacted and be informed of the consequences of his/her choice: the thesis period runs automatically from February 1st, and the student will automatically use up one examination attempt if the thesis is not submitted on time.

    1b. Autumn semester
    The following deadlines apply to students who are writing theses in the autumn semester:

    a) During the enrolment period for the spring semester (November), the student must enrol himself/herself for the thesis project with a deadline of January 2nd of the following year (for example, enrolment in Spring 2017 leads to a deadline of January 2nd 2018). If the student has not enrolled himself/herself, the institution will ensure that the student is enrolled, see Registration for and withdrawal from subjects and examinations. This applies irrespective of whether a contract has been agreed or not.

    b) The student must apply for subject not later than June 1st, and according to the local rules of the programme state the name of a supervisor. In case the student omits to apply for a subject, the student is contacted and is informed of the consequences of his/her choice: the possibilities of getting the requested supervisor assigned is reduced, the thesis period runs from September 1st, regardless of whether the contract is signed or not, and that the student will use up one examination attempt if the thesis is not submitted on time. 

    c) As soon as possible after applying for subject and not later than June 15th the student is informed on which supervisor he/she has been assigned. The subject must in this context be approved by a supervisor. 

    d) On August 15th at the latest a thesis project contract must be agreed. If the contract is not agreed by the deadline, the student will be contacted and be informed of the consequences of his/her choice: the thesis period runs automatically from September 1st, and the student will automatically use one examination attempt if the thesis is not submitted on time. 

    2. The thesis process
    The thesis process is divided into three stages.

    Stage 1 Information and supervision before the thesis semester 
    During the third semester of graduate studies, students are offered a course/workshop that provides general advice on writing a thesis and supervision on the options for specific subject selection. 

    Stage 2 Establishing the subject area of the thesis and contact with the thesis supervisor
    A project description and a supervision plan are established together with the thesis supervisor with the aim of entering into a Masters’ thesis contract. 

    In general terms, a project description includes the following elements:

    • Working title
    • Problem statement
    • Disposition
    • Outline of theories and literature
    • Outline of empirical data
    • Reflection over methods
    • Work plan
    Based on the work plan, the student and the thesis supervisor draw up a supervision plan containing the dates of supervision meetings and milestones for the thesis project.

    Stage 3 The Masters’ thesis contract
    The Masters’ thesis contract includes the following elements
    • Contract cover page
    • Supervision plan
    • Project description
    The dissertation contract must be submitted via the digital general platform http://blanket.sdu.dk.

    When approving the contract, the thesis supervisor certifies that the project description lives up to the requirements in the curriculum. The thesis supervisor is also obliged to ensure that the project description and the supervision plan are not so comprehensive as to make it impossible for the thesis to be written within the stipulated time frame. 

    The head of studies approves the project description, the submission date and the supervision plan.

    By agreement, the student and the thesis supervisor can make minor adjustments to the project description and the supervision plan on condition that the thesis can still be completed within the stipulated time frame. If there are more substantial changes to the project description or a change of supervisor, the student must apply to the study board.

    3. Supervision 
    In accordance with § 27 point 7 of the Minsterial Order on Bachelor and Master´s Degree Programmes (uddannelsesbekendtgørelsen) a supervision plan must be approved. When writing a thesis in the humanities the student is entitled to 10 hours of supervision. The drawing up of the project description and the supervision plan, the supervision itself and the preparation time of the supervisor are included in the 10 hours.

    How and when the supervision is given is established in the supervision plan. The supervisor and the students must jointly ensure that the supervision is spread across the entire thesis process.

    In the event that the thesis is not submitted or if the thesis does not receive a passing grade the student must contact the supervisor in order to draw up a revised project description.

    Regarding the project, (see the academic part of the curriculum), subject matter that can be worked on in a group, there is 10 hours of tutoring for the individual student.

    Example of a group with 2 students:
    When two students are working on a dissertation together, they have 10 hours of tutorials each (10+10). If one student receives one hour of tutoring, one hour is used. If two students receive tutoring together in one session, they have each used one hour (1+1). Preparation for the tutorial does not count as double. If a supervisor prepares for one hour for a tutorial, this counts as one hour, whether one student or several participate.

    In the situation where a group of students do not hand in a dissertation, or do not pass, the group must contact the supervisor in order to draw up a revised project description.

    Examples on how to schedule the supervision
    • 5 one-hour meetings spread across the period
    • 1 one-hour meeting before signing the contract, 4 one-hour meeting spread across the period after signing the contract.
    • 2 30-minutes meetings before signing the contract, 4 one-hour meeting spread across the period after signing the contract.  

    4. If the thesis is not submitted within the deadline or is not approved
    If the thesis is not submitted within the deadline or is not approved, the student will have used up one examination attempt.

    A new contract with a term of three months must be entered into not later than 14 days after the expiry of the deadline or no later than 14 days after the publication of the assessment.
     
    Regardless of whether or not the student enters into a new contract, the three-month time limit begins no later than the date when the new contract should have been signed.

    According to the ministerial order, the university must approve a changed thesis statement that lies within the same subject area. 

    In a letter dated 13 July 2007, the Ministry stated that a »changed thesis statement« should be understood as follows: “the student need not restart his/her thesis from the beginning if he/she fails to meet the deadline but, on the basis of an academic evaluation, the university must change the thesis statement in such a way that it corresponds to a workload of a further three months. This shall apply irrespective of the ECTS standardisation for the thesis. The changed thesis formulation must thus be adjusted in the light of the contents of the individual thesis. It may, for instance, comprise a longer or shorter addition, just as (in principle) it is not the intention that the student shall begin from the beginning with new, experimental trials.”

    The student must thus enter into a new Master’s thesis contract and revise his/her project description in accordance with the above.

    If the student at the first attempt has received approval for a contract and a project description the subject area equal to an amount of work of 3 months’ further work is established on the basis of an evaluation by the supervisor and the Head of Studies together. 

    If the student has not at the first attempt, got approval for a contract and a project description, the subject area of work equal to 3 months’ further work is established according to the following:
    • 2nd attempt: The number of pages are increased to between 90 and 110 pages
    • 3rd attempt: The number of pages are increased to between 120 and 130 pages

    5. Submitting a thesis:
    A thesis must be submitted in digital form. Standardised cover page for the Master´s thesis has to be used. Once submitted, a thesis cannot be withdrawn from assessment.

    Feedback after submitting:
    The graduate can get 30 minutes oral feedback on his/her thesis. 

    The feedback can be 
    • on the academic quality, the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis and an explanation of the grade given
    • a discussion of specific themes and arguments of the thesis
    • on the process. Methods of working good/unsuitable, use of supervision, organisation of the work 
    • on the linguistic of the thesis, the quality and scope of the language in relation to the target group
    • on the potential of the thesis. Possibilities for publication of articles, job opportunities etc.   

    § 7.6 - Switching between lines/profiles

    Students have the opportunity to switch between the education programme’s lines/profiles. Shifts can only be carried out on condition that the student meets any admission requirements for the line/profile that the student wishes to move to. At the same time, it should be avoided that the shift prolongs the duration of study. 


    In the cand.it in Web Communication, the switch between profiles can be applied for

    • Web Communication Design
    • Webformidling
    • Interaktionsdesign
    • Webarkitektur

    § 7.7 - Individually planned activities


    § 7.8 - Electives

    The student must

    • deepen his/her knowledge of areas relevant to web communication
    • achieve broader web communication skills

      In principle, elective subjects can be taken at any institution of higher education in Denmark or abroad, provided the content is of relevance to Web Communication. If a student wants to take an elective subject at another institution of higher education or another Board of Studies in the Faculty of Humanities, he/she must contact the Board of Studies for Information and Communication Studies and ensure that the elective subject can be approved.


      § 8 - Exemptions and complaints procedures

      § 8.1 - Exemption from rules established by the university

      If justified by extraordinary circumstances, the Academic Study Board can grant exemption from rules in the curriculum that are established solely by the university. 

      § 8.2 - Complaints about examinations

      Complaints about examinations or other assessments included in examinations must be brought before the Dean no later than two weeks after the result of an examination has been published. Complaints must be submitted in writing and substantiated.

      § 8.3 - Complaints about decisions made by the university

      Pursuant to § 52 in the ministerial order on degree programmes at universities, the university’s decisions, according to this Ministerial Order, may be brought to the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education when the complaint concerns legal questions. The deadline for lodging a complaint is 2 weeks from the date on which the decision is notified to the complainant. The complaint is submitted to the university, who gives their opinion on the matter. The complainant must have the opportunity to comment on the university’s opinion within a period of at least 1 week. The university sends the complaint to the Acency enclosing the opinion and any comments from the complainant.

      § 9 - The affiliation of the programme

      § 9.1 - Legal basis


      § 9.2 - Academic Study Board

      Academic Study Board for Information and Communication Studies

      § 9.3 - External examiners

      Information Studies, Communication and Digital Media

      § 9.4 - Effective date

      01-09-2020

      § 9.5 - Effective for students enrolled as of

      01-09-2017

      § 9.6 - Date of Study Board Approval

      26-02-2020

      § 9.7 - Date for Dean\'s approval

      05-02-2021

      § 9.8 - Interim provisions

      Valid interim provisions of the study programme are set out in the progression models under Course of study.



      § 10 - Terminology

      § 10.1 - Terminology of the programme

      Deadline for delivery of written assignments
      All delivery deadlines for examination work, theses, dissertations and BA projects are published in the course´s combined examination timetable. If the deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a Bank Holiday, the deadline will be deemed to be the next working day. 

      ECTS points
      ECTS, the European Credit Transfer System, was introduced under the Erasmus programme. ECTS points are values that are ascribed to a course unit with the aim of describing the overall work required from students in order to complete the course in the form of attending instruction, preparation, writing assignments, where applicable, and preparing for examinations, etc. 60 ECTS points corresponds to one year of full-time study and to 1,680 hours of work. A subject studied at 10 ECTS points therefore corresponds to 280 hours of work.

      Standard page
      One standard page = 2,400 characters incl. blank spaces.

      Lessons
      One lesson corresponds to 45 minutes. 

      Typed characters
      This is understood as every typographical element, i.e. not only letters and numbers, but also punctuation marks and blank spaces.